56 The text has only one speech act category. It is clear that the text writer
shows his assertive category using the declarative mood type. He asserts that it looks like what the government does is just a drop of water. However, he thinks
that it is better than the government does nothing.
14. Theme N: China to Give Indonesia Its First Bullet Train
This TYS column focus on the recent disclosure that China had agreed to carry out a high-speed rail project under a business-to-business scheme with no
state budget or government guarantee involved. This raised some questions and discussions among the public since there was also another proposal coming from
Japan. There were 9 texts in this theme.
Table 4.14 Speech act category classification in Theme N
Theme N Speech act category
No Text
ass com
dir exp
dec 1
TN.92 -
- -
-
2 TN.93
-
- -
- 3
TN.94 -
- -
-
4 TN.95
-
-
- 5
TN.96
- -
- -
6 TN.97
-
-
- 7
TN.98
- -
-
8 TN.99
- -
- 9
TN.100
-
- -
Total 6
2 1
5
It is found 6 assertive categories, 2 commissive categories, 1 directive category, and 5 expressive categories. The assertive category is the most frequently
employed speech act category, followed by expressive category in the second position, commissive category in the third position, and directive category in the
57 last position. The typical characteristic of TYS column in the theme is that the text
writers prefer to commit themselves to the truth of the proposition toward the issue. In the fact, China carries out a high-speed rail project in Indonesia. Many people
regret and disagree with this project. They explain whether China is better than Japan or not. Moreover, people are uncertain that Indonesia can carry out this giant
project. Here are the example of the findings: 3
TN.97 To establish and operate a bullet train from Jakarta to Bandung is really a
waste of money. To carry out a bullet train project serving Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya
based on a business-to-business scheme would be very attractive and logical.
I wonder whether it is possible for us to carry out such a giant project.
The text has three sentences and two speech act categories. Those are assertive and expressive category. All sentences also use declarative mood type.
The text writer shares his disappointment in the first sentence. It is clear that the speaker shows expressive category. He says that the project from Jakarta to
Bandung really wastes the money. The text writer thinks that the project serving Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya is more attractive and logical. From his opinion, the
speaker convinces the readers to believe what he thinks. Therefore, it is clear that the speaker also shows assertive category. Then, in the last sentence, the text writer
uses his expressive category again. The text writer wonders about the project. He seems uncertain that Indonesia can carry out the giant project.
